From northjersey.com: New York Law School CrimProf Robert Blecker joined New Jersey Senator Gerald Cardinale in launching his defense
of the death penalty during a State House press conference.

Blecker argues that some people deserve to die and
that retribution presents the most compelling case for the death
penalty.

Cardinale and Blecker also said that evidence is growing that the
death penalty does deter people from committing murder. Cardinale said
that one study showed that each execution correlates with about 74
fewer murders the following year, although other studies suggest a far
more modest deterrent effect.

The two also said that if New Jersey wants to seriously consider
abolishing the death penalty, lawmakers should give the issue the time
and consideration it deserves. Both characterized the New Jersey Death
Penalty Study Commission, which concluded earlier this year that the
state should abolish capital punishment, as biased.

"Attempting to sneak this enormously important public policy proposal during the lame duck session is appalling," Blecker said.

New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty countered that
Blecker's comments and papers were carefully considered, reviewed and
ultimately rejected by the members of the Death Penalty Study
Commission. Rest of Article. . . [Mark Godsey]